Good dental health begins with you. Follow a good oral hygiene routine to keep your mouth clean and healthy.
A healthy smile is a valuable asset. That is why it is crucial to give your teeth the best care that you can. Tooth decay can be painful and can lead to teeth falling out, crowns, or inlays. If the tooth decay is not treated in time, the nerves of the tooth will be infected and die, causing an abscess.
Root canal treatment may then be required, and then the teeth need to be removed. It is essential to maintain good daily habits at home to keep your teeth and gums healthy. If you find any infection or cavities, visit your Newport beach dentist.
Gum disease is prevalent and can cause tooth loss if left untreated.
How to keep your teeth and gums healthy?
Keeping your mouth clean and healthy is very important for better oral health. Simple oral hygiene practices can help prevent most dental problems:
- Brush your teeth once in the morning and once before bed with fluoride toothpaste.
- Spit out after brushing and do not rinse afterward. It will help fluoride stay longer on the teeth
- Use at least an “interdental” brush or floss to clean in between your teeth each day
- Good eating habits – eat less sugary foods and drinks
- Regular dental checkups.
What is plaque?
Plaque is a thin, sticky film of bacteria that builds on your teeth.
When you eat foods that contain starch and sugar, the bacteria in the plaque produce acid, which can erode the enamel. The viscous plaque makes these acids come in contact with the teeth.
After a continuous acid attack, the enamel ruptures and forms holes in the teeth.
The Newport Beach dentist recommends removing the plaque as soon as possible to ensure the best oral health.
How does dental plaque cause gum disease?
If plaque cannot be removed by brushing your teeth, it will harden into something called “tartar” – another name for gum lining. With the formation of tartar near the gums, the underlying plaque releases harmful poisons that cause inflammation of the gums.
As this continues the gums start to pull away from teeth, as a result, the gaps become infected. When left untreated the bone that support the teeth are destroyed, thus your healthy teeth get loose and fall out.
If you leave plaque on your teeth, the plaque will harden into tartar and can only be removed by a dental team. It is essential to keep regular appointments so that you can thoroughly clean your teeth when needed.
Why is brushing your teeth important?
It is essential to brush and clean your teeth and in between your teeth every day because it removes plaque. If the plaque on your teeth is not treated, it will continue to accumulate and feed on the remaining food, causing tooth decay and gum disease.
Do dentists recommend fluoride toothpaste?
Yes. Fluoride helps strengthen and protect teeth and reduces tooth decay in adults and children.
Some children’s toothpaste contains only half of the fluoride in adult toothpaste. They only provide limited protection to the teeth. If your child is under seven years old, pay attention to them when they brush their teeth, and encourage them not to swallow toothpaste.
How should you clean dentures?
Cleaning your dentures is as important as cleaning your natural teeth. Food may get stuck on the edges of dentures and hooks, and food may rot if not thoroughly cleaned.
You should use a toothbrush to clean the denture separately. The general rule for denture cleaning is: brush, soak, and brush again. If you drop a denture, clean the denture with a bowl of water. Brush your denture to help remove any residue from food.
Soak the denture in a professional cleaner for a short period and then brush it again. Brush your denture like you would your teeth.
Why should you visit your dentist regularly?
They say prevention is better than curing, and I agree! If you visit your Newport beach dentist regularly, you will need less medication, and they will find any concerns early on, making any procedure more comfortable.
So, when was the last time you visited your dentist?